Use of famciclovir for the treatment of endotheliotrophic herpesvirus infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Dennis L. Schmitt, Douglas A. Hardy, Richard J. Montali, Laura K. Richman, William A. Lindsay, Ramiro Isaza, Gary West

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) presented with an acute onset of facial edema and lethargy. Examination of the oral cavity of each animal revealed cyanosis of the tip and distal margins of the tongue suggestive of endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD) of elephants. Whole-blood samples were obtained, and polymerase chain reaction tests confirmed the presence of elephant herpesvirus. The animals were administered famciclovir (Famvir, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, USA), a potent human anti-herpesvirus drug, in the course of their disease, and recovery followed a treatment regime of 3-4 wk. These are the first known cases of elephants surviving EIBD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)518-522
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2000

Keywords

  • Elephant
  • Elephas maximus
  • Endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD)
  • Famciclovir
  • Herpesvirus
  • Pen-ciclovir

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • General Veterinary

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